Marco Pierre White’s new app EatClub is gaining momentum in Australia and the celebrity chef has revealed plans for further expansion.
EatClub is a pricing platform that encourages consumers to dine out by offering last-minute deals to attract diners and fill empty tables at off-peak times.
Since introducing the app into Melbourne in October and Sydney last month, close to 500 restaurants have signed up, including Bill’s in Bondi and Melbourne’s Red Spice Road and Burma Lane, and more than 60,000 customers have downloaded the app.
EatClub is now looking to expand into Brisbane and Adelaide in the coming months, with further plans to introduce the app in Britain, the US and Asia.
The app was co-founded by former Foodora executive Pan Koutlakis, Matt Cantelo, Ben Tyler, who, together with White, saw the rise of food delivery was driving customers away from dining out.
EatClub charges restaurants a monthly-membership fee and a $2 fee for each guest EatClub brings into the restaurant.
White told Broadsheet the app aims to put a spotlight on restaurants that struggle to fill seats on off-peak times.
“How many times do I walk into restaurants in Australia, or Britain, and they’re half empty on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday night?” he said.
“If you look at hotels, their prices change according to the day of the week, according to the season….It’s about creating profit and the restaurant industry is no different.”
